It has been over a year since I updated this. I am not great at the blogging stuff.
I wanted to update my blog today because as most of you know KARA IS WALKING! This is not just fun party trick walking anymore. This is actually walking as in she is using it as her mode of transportation. This has just started a few days ago and she is getting better everyday. I tease her and tell her she looks like a little T Rex. She holds her little arms up in front of her to help balance and shifts her weight with every step.
Today I was thinking back on the day 3 years ago, when we sat in her Neurosurgeon's office. It was our third day with her and she was so tiny and innocent. I remember she was sleeping in my arms as he told us "I can't tell you what your future holds. She could be severely disabled or she could be the top of her class. We just don't know." As a new parent that was scary but it didn't change the way we felt about this baby and it didn't change our mind about keeping her. She was our daughter no matter what life threw at us. Matt and I decided that day that we were going to help her reach her potential. We weren't going to push her beyond what she could do but get her as far as she was able. We have been blessed beyond measure.
At the time we didn't know what we would face Cognitively. As of now we have no concerns. She started signing at 15 months, talking at 18 months. By 2 she could sing her ABC's, by 2 1/2 she could sing The Star Spangled Banner. She can sing any children's song you ask her to. She is 3 now and know's some of her colors and most of her shapes, as well as the days of the weeks and the months of the year. She is in preschool and learned of her teacher's and classmates names in the first week. Often when disciplining her I think to myself "She is way to smart for her own good." We didn't know what we would face but we stepped out on faith and we have no concerns.
Socially we didn't know what to expect. If you have met Kara you know there is no concern. She is the most social child I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. She is not one to hide behind mom and dad and look away when you speak to her. She will talk to ever person she meets and play with anyone willing to play with her. She wouldn't think twice about going home with a stranger. She loves everybody.
Physically has been our biggest hurdle so far. She didn't lift her head till 6 months, she didn't sit till 9 months, she didn't army crawl until 18 months, and she took her first tiny steps the month before she turned 3. Now at 3 years and 5 months she has finally started walking. We are starting to catch up and she are so proud of how hard she has worked to get to this point. Don't think we were saints through this whole ordeal. I can't tell you how many times I pestered her therapist begging me to tell me if she would ever walk, then begging her to tell me when she would walk, and asking her if she would be able to walk unassisted. I can't tell you how many times I had to remind myself to be thankful for what she could do instead of dwelling on what she couldn't. I can't begin to tell you how frustrated I would get just to have our therapist gently remind me that the important thing is that she is making progress. Then there was the thoughtless people who made heart breaking remarks at the parks or the library. I am thankful that through all this she has had wonderful therapist who have celebrated her achievements with us as well as good friends and loving family who have cheered with us and rejoiced with us over her accomplishments.
So as I think back to that day and how unclear our future wasm and the huge step of faith we took, I can't help but be thankful. God has given us the most wonderful, sweetest, most beautiful child and we couldn't be more grateful. He has gone beyond that and blessed us over and over with her and he has helped us every step of the way. He has been our strength in hospital stays and surgeries and discouraging days. He has put people in our life everyday to help our daughter, to love our daughter, and to encourage us. Now that we have reached this major milestone we are so thankful for the opportunity we have to be her parents and I wouldn't trade her anyone. Thank you for all who have been there to rejoice with us and love her so much. We took the road less traveled and that has made all the difference.
Praising the Lord for His goodness!
